{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/broker-s-opinion-of-value","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/broker-s-opinion-of-value","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"broker-s-opinion-of-value","term":"Broker's opinion of value","aka":"BOV","group":"Reading the business","definition":"An informal estimate of a business's value by a broker, mainly for listing. Treat it as a starting point, not a definitive valuation for financing.","what_it_means":"Many businesses for sale come with a BOV from the listing broker. Treat this as a starting point, not a definitive valuation. Brokers are incentivized to list businesses at higher prices. You'll need to conduct your own due diligence and potentially get a formal appraisal for SBA financing to establish the true fair market value.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/broker-s-opinion-of-value","official_sources":[],"related":[{"slug":"business-valuation","term":"Business valuation","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/business-valuation"},{"slug":"formal-appraisal","term":"Formal appraisal","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/formal-appraisal"},{"slug":"due-diligence","term":"Due diligence","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/due-diligence"},{"slug":"business-broker","term":"Business broker","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/business-broker"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Can I use pre-closing expenses, like a business broker's fee, as part of my equity injection?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-i-use-pre-closing-expenses-like-a-business-broker-s-fee-as-part-of-my-equity-injection"},{"question":"How much of the acquired business's value can be 'goodwill' for a 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/how-much-of-the-acquired-business-s-value-can-be-goodwill-for-a-7-a-loan"},{"question":"What is the primary role of my business broker or M&A advisor in the SBA 7(a) loan process?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-is-the-primary-role-of-my-business-broker-or-m-a-advisor-in-the-sba-7-a-loan-process"},{"question":"Can the value of a non-owner's personal guarantee on the SBA loan count toward my equity injection?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-the-value-of-a-non-owner-s-personal-guarantee-on-the-sba-loan-count-toward-my-equity-i"},{"question":"What is the maximum percentage of a business acquisition's value that can be attributed to goodwill for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-is-the-maximum-percentage-of-a-business-acquisition-s-value-that-can-be-attributed-to"},{"question":"If I'm buying out a partner, how does the SBA ensure the fair market value of the departing partner's share is established?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/if-i-m-buying-out-a-partner-how-does-the-sba-ensure-the-fair-market-value-of-the-departing"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — Broker's opinion of value","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/broker-s-opinion-of-value","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}